Pakistan’s digital transformation highlighted as UNESCO advances AI ethics
The technical review of Pakistan’s draft National AI Policy by UNESCO aligns the country’s strategy with international ethical standards while supporting local development objectives.
UNESCO used the Pakistan Governance Forum 2026 to highlight the need for a structured Ethical AI and Data Governance Framework as the country accelerates its digital transformation.
Federal leaders, provincial authorities and civil society convened to examine governance reforms, with UNESCO urging Pakistan to align its expanding digital public infrastructure with coherent standards that protect rights while enabling innovation.
Speaking at the Forum, Fuad Pashayev underlined that Pakistan’s reform priority should centre on the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted unanimously by all 193 Member States.
Anchoring national systems in transparency, accountability and meaningful human oversight was framed as essential for maintaining public trust as digital services reshape access to benefits and interactions between citizens and the state.
To support the shift, UNESCO promoted its AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM), which is already deployed in more than 50 countries. The tool helps governments identify regulatory gaps, strengthen institutional coordination and design safeguards against discrimination and algorithmic bias.
UNESCO has already contributed to Pakistan’s draft National AI Policy, ensuring alignment with international ethical frameworks while accommodating national development needs.
Capacity building formed a major pillar of UNESCO’s engagement. In partnership with the University of Oxford, the organisation launched a global course on AI and Digital Transformation in Government in 2025, attracting over nineteen thousand enrolments worldwide.
Pakistan leads participation globally, reflecting both the country’s momentum and growing demand for structured training.
UNESCO’s ongoing work aims to reinforce data governance, improve AI readiness and embed ethical safeguards across Pakistan’s digital transformation strategy.
Would you like to learn more about AI, tech and digital diplomacy? If so, ask our Diplo chatbot!